Uganda hand Botswana 52-run defeat

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday May 21, 2019 16:34

 

Botswana's first game of the tournament against Namibia was washed out on Sunday.

Joseph Angara's charges needed the perfect start to the six-nation tournament, but never got going after asking the hosts to bat first.

The match, played at the Lugogo Stadium in Kampala, saw the hosts post a modest 142/7. Former captain, Karabo Modise was the pick of the Botswana bowlers, returning figures of 3/18, but a quick fire 44 (27) from Arnold Otwani, gave the hosts a defendable score.

The visitors failed to move from first gear as some inspired Uganda bowling constantly applied the brakes.

There was a brief recovery when Vinoo Balakrishnan and Richard Nehonde were at the crease from the 10th over.

When the pair came together, Botswana was in a spot of bother, at 40/4 after nine overs, and the repair works soon began, albeit slowly.

But after Botswana lost Balakrishnan for 26 in the 16th over, the rest of the batsmen crumbled like a deck of cards, folding to 90 all out and Uganda wrapped up the match with two overs to spare.

Botswana will look to quickly bounce back as they play Nigeria on Tuesday.

The top two teams qualify for the final phase of next year's T20 World Cup.  The other nations are Ghana, Kenya and Namibia.

 

Scorecard Summary

Uganda 142/7 (20 overs)

 

A Otwani 44 (27)

HB Kayondo 30 (31)

 

K Modise 3/18 (3)

A Rangaswamy 2/24 (3)

 

Botswana 90 (18 overs)

 

T Perera 15 (33)

V Balakrishnan 26 (32)

 

F Nsubuga 2/19 (4)

C Waiswa 2/20 (3)